Barcelona labour dispute puts weekend fixtures under pressure before Real Madrid visit

Barcelona say Sunday’s El Clasico against Real Madrid will go ahead as planned despite a strike involving about 60 employees at the club’s facilities.

The labour dispute comes only hours before one of the most anticipated matches of the season and could affect several sporting events taking place across the club’s venues this weekend.

According to Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have confirmed that the Spanish league fixture against Real Madrid at Camp Nou will be staged normally. The match is scheduled for Sunday evening.

Talks between the club and the striking workers broke down at the Catalan labour court, with no agreement reached to resolve the dispute. The strike is therefore expected to begin at midnight on Friday and continue until 06:00 on Monday.

The employees involved, who work on intermittent contracts, are protesting against what they regard as a deterioration in their working conditions. One of their main demands is for enough staff to be provided to meet the logistical requirements of sporting events held at Barcelona’s facilities.

The walkout is not limited to workers involved in preparing for the El Clasico. Its potential impact extends to a number of other Barcelona fixtures taking place over the weekend.

Barcelona’s women’s team are due to host Granada on Saturday in the Spanish Women’s League at the Johann Cruyff Stadium. The club’s handball side are scheduled to play Rebi Cuenca on Friday in the Spanish Handball League at the Palau Blaugrana.

The basketball team will also face Casademont Zaragoza on Saturday in the Spanish Basketball League, with that game taking place at the Palau Blaugrana.

Sources at Barcelona say the club has the organisational capacity to respond to any problems and ensure the scheduled matches take place. They also insist they will not unlawfully replace striking employees.

The dispute remains unresolved, but Barcelona maintain that the strike will not prevent the meeting with Real Madrid from being played at Camp Nou.